Submitted by Fox First at Ten on October 19th
By The Associated Press
CRAZY WEATHER: Warm spring weather in the Northeast and Midwest tricked apple trees into budding early this year, and then a late frost damaged the blossoms.
CROPS CRIMPED: Crops in apple-producing states like New York and Michigan shrank, falling off as much as 90 percent.
APPLES JUICED: The declines are a boon for Washington state growers, who are experiencing a near record harvest and can look forward to higher demand and prices. That could mean a banner year for profitability, if the weather cooperates and they find enough pickers to bring in the big haul.
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